"People begin gathering as the last rays of sunlight move their way up the ancient adobe structures. These aren’t just tribal members. We’re talking people from town, all over the region, even some from foreign countries.

The bonfires around the village are lit.

As darkness begins to fall, the Vespers Mass in the San Geronimo Church are concluded and the Christmas Eve procession begins.

A group of men in traditional garb carry a statue of the Virgin Mary. People in the group sing religious hymns in English and Spanish. Men at the head of the procession fire hunting rifles from time to time. The gunfire can be deafening, so stand back.

The procession continues in a loop through the village plaza, and then it’s over.

The crowd remains around the fires for a while, warmed by the light and the constant parade of friends and relatives.

It’s simple, but as with anything involving tradition in New Mexico, there’s so much more to this."